Pincher Creek Voice: Double Canadian Cowboy Challenge event held in Pincher Creek

Thursday, May 8, 2014

Double Canadian Cowboy Challenge event held in Pincher Creek

Medicine Hat's Ronna Magotiaux on the bridge
C. Davis photos

Chris Davis, Pincher Creek Voice

The Pincher Creek and District Agricultural Society hosted its second Canadian Cowboy Challenge (CCC) Event on May 3 and 4, 2014 at the Horseshoe Pavilion. The competition featured seven divisions, including Shootin' Sprouts (age 6 - 11), Older Than Dirt (over 55), Buckin' Crazies (inexperienced horses), and an open competition for professionals and those who wanted to challenge them.

Sasquatch sighted at the Horseshoe Pavilion

Judge/announcer Danita Phelan

Participants came from as far away as Cochrane, Medicine Hat, and Sakatchewan. Several locals also participated, including Amy Evano, Jeremy Davidson, Audrey Westrop, Kassidy Bonertz, and Amanda Elliott.

Pincher Creek's Amanda Elliott and Broccoli

The organization team:

Janet Watmough

Heidi Eijgel

Donny Lambrecht

Barb Lloyd

Jennifer Ogloff

Amanda Elliot

Amanda Elliott and Broccoli during the pony horse/gator challenge

I attended the open competition on Saturday night. It was an opportunity to see demonstrations of excellence in horsemanship, and the courses are different every time, and always entertaining. CCC is founded on horsemanship used in ranch based activities and trail riding. CCC training and courses are designed to desensitize the horses to potentially scary objects while fostering trust and understanding between horse and rider.

Pincher Creek's Amy Evano has been an integral part of Pincher Creek's CCC involvement

Amy Evano astride JD, towing Alyssa Bonertz

The Pincher Creek Extreme Trail Club was started by the Pincher Creek and District Agricultural Society with the participation of 20 or so enthusiastic horsemen and horsewomen and their horses.

"Remember, this is not about the race, it is about the challenge," said announcer Rose Lang. "Thank you to all the volunteers for giving their time today and tomorrow in preparation of this event."

Announcer Rose Lang with Audrey Westrop

Pincher Creek's Audrey Westrop, in the winner's circle after her first Cowboy Challenge

First was the Open course, followed by the more difficult Open Back Country course.

The complicated staging and brief interlude between events which required a quick change of obstacles was a challenge many of those volunteers met with enthusiasm. This time around the familiar noodle obstacle was replaced by a colorful clothesline. The addition of a Kokanee swilling sasquatch to the Open Back Country course was entertaining. Alyssa Bonertz was brave enough to be one of the challenges, lying on a tarp and being towed around the campfire obstacle. Disaster loomed a couple of times, but she seemed to emerge unscathed by the experience. Backing through a large tent was a more difficult challenge than it seemed to the casual observer, as was riding the horses through scattered logs.

Play it again, Bill!!

Rose Lang and Brent Byers

Open Course results:

Non-Pro Awards

Judy Mackenzie
Robert Barbour
Audrey Westrop
Sue-Anne Wearmouth
Ronna Magotiaux

Older Than Dirt

Robert Barbour
Judy Mackenzie
Audrey Westrop
Brent Byers

(other results not available at this time)

Organizer Heidi Eijgel

Pincher Creek's Jeremy Davidson astride Wayne

Jeremy Davidson and Wayne

There are several CCC events scheduled for this year, including a return to Pincher Creek on September 28, 2014. Camping along the creek by the Horseshoe Pavilion will be available.